Adjustable necktie construction



M y 1959 M. s. GOLDENBERG ET AL 2,884,642

ADJUSTABLE NECKTIE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 16, 1956 INVENTORS MARTIN GOLDENBERG MALCOL s. GOLDENBERG ATTORNEY.

y 1959 M. s. GOLDENBERG ETAL 2,884,642

ADJUSTABLE NECKTIE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 16, 1956 K 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fla "Plan.

INVENTORS MARTIN GOLDENBERG MALCOLM s. GOLDENBERG M l/Q ORNEY.

United States Pate- ADJUSTABLE NECKTIE CONSTRUCTION Malcolm S. Goldenberg, Rego Park, N.Y., and Martin Goldenberg, Fairlawn, NJ.

Application August 16, 1956, Serial No. 604,451

3 Claims. (Cl. 2--155) This invention relates to adjustable neckties, and particularly to bow ties with adjustable neckband portions.

Conventional adjustable neckties are generally provided with a plurality of spaced holes or slits for receiving .a hook attached to one end of a neckband section, the hook being engageable with a selected one of said slits or holes in accordance with the desired size. Such necktie constructions provide for a comparatively limited number of adjustments, either because of the inherent nature of the structure, or because of cost considerations. It is one of the important objects of our present invention to provide an adjustable necktie having a far greater range of size adjustments than is possible with conventional ties of this category.

It is another object of our invention to provide a loop element through which the two opposing sections of an adjustable necktie extend, the construction being such as to permit relatively little or no transverse shifting of the tie sections with respect to the loop. In conventional constructions such a shifting is a common occurrence, causing a gathering together and crumpling of the tie sections disposed within the loop. To overcome this shortcoming, it has heretofore been the practice to employ a loop member with a serrated inner edge; but such a construction has been found to cause damage to the tie material. In our invention such shifting is eliminated not through the use of serrations, but rather by the use of a novel combination of cooperative elements on both the coacting tie sections and the loop.

It is a further object of our invention to enable tie adjustments to be made by a simple manual manipulation, and with a minimum of frictional resistance between the loop and the tie sections operatively moved therethrough during the adjusting operation.

And it is within the contemplation of our invention to provide a relatively simple, compact and presentable construction, of relatively low cost, having the features hereinabove described.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bow tie embodying one form of our invention, the components being shown in assembled relation.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of three components of the invention in disassembled relation.

Figure 3 is a side view of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of one of the fastening elements employed in the structure above identified, shown in closed position.

Figure 5 is a view of the fastening element of Fig. 4 shown in open position. 1

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the clamping action of the fastening member upon the coasting ridge of a tie section.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front elevational View showing the assembly of the two tie sections with the fastening elements unattached, both sections extending through the loop element.

Figure 8 is an enlarged section of Fig. 7 taken substantially along line 88.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of another form of fastening element used in connection with a modified form of our invention.

Figure 10 is a side view of Fig. 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmenary front view of two tie sec tions in coactive relation in a modified form of our invention, showing the use of the fastening element of Figs. 9 and 10.

Figure 12 is an enlarged section of Fig. 11 taken substantially along line 1212.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 14 is a section of Fig. 13 taken substantially along line 14-14.

In the form of our invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, there are two tie sections 15 and 16 coactively and slidably extending through guide loop 17, the rear ends of said sections carrying the respective fastening elements 18 and 19 adapted for engagement with the respective ridges 20 and 21 extending longitudinally along the respective neckband portions 22 and 23 of said sections 15 and 16, respectively, for effecting size adjustments in the manner hereinafter described. The said neckband portions 22 and 23 are continuous with the respective front portions 24 and 25, the neckband portions having thereon size markings 26 and 27 on the side on which said ridges are disposed, to wit, on the inner side of the tie.

In the embodiment shown, the neckband portions are two-ply with folded-in lateral edges. Specifically, neckband portion 22 comprises the outer layer 28 with foldedin lateral edges 29 and 30 (see Fig. 6), and the inner band 31 with folded-in lateral edges 32 and 33 sewed to said edges 29 and 30-the said inner band having, along the medial longitudinal extent thereof, the said ridge 20. In this form of the invention said ridge is formed by the use of folding and sewing methods known to those skilled in the art, to raise and gather the medial portion of the band along the length thereof into a fold protruding beyond the plane of the band and thereafter to sew the sides of the fold together. Neckband portion 23 is similarly formed from outer layer 34 and inner band 35, the latter having thereon the said longitudinal ridge 21. Both bands 31 and 32 bear on their exposed surfaces the said size markings 26 and 27.

The said loop 17 is either stamped, formed from wire or otherwise produced, and comprises a peripherally enclosed rim 36 with an inner elongated apertured portion 37 proportioned to slidably receive therein both of said neckband portions 22 and 23, as shown in Figs. 1, 7 and 8. The medial portion of said apertured portion is of expanded proportions, comprising the two opposite recessed portions 38 and 39 positioned and proportioned to slidably accommodate therein the respective ridges 20 and 21. Thus, when said neckband portions 22 and 23 are simultaneously passed through said loop 17 and, doubled back upon themselves, are slidably moved through said loop, the said ridges 20 and 21 will slidably move through said recessed portions 38 and 39, the latter serving as guiding tracks both to facilitate the operative sliding movement of said neckband portions and 0 to prevent their lateral shifting, without damage to the respective bands 31 and 32 slidably engaging the inner edge of said rim 36 defining the apertured portion 37.

The said fastening elements 18 and 19 are each preferably of spring material, comprising two exposed jaws 4t) and 41 in opposing relation and forming part of the respective exposed crossing arms 42 and 43 extending from opposite sections of the inner portion 44 containing the loop 45said respective inner portions 44 being disposed within the looped terminals 46 and 47 of the respective neckband portions 22 and 23. Normally said jaws 4i) and 41 are yieldably held in adjacent closed relation; but when pressure is applied in the direction of the arrows A, A (Fig. the jaws separate to create there between a space 48 (Fig. 5).

In the operative use of this tie construction, the neck band sections 22 and 23 are slidably pulled through said loop 17 until said fastening elements 18 and 19-with said sections doubled backare adjacent the desired size markings 26 and 27. Then said fastening elements are compressed to separate the jaws 40 and 411, and the latter are then placed astride the respective ridges 2d and 21 at the selected positions, whereafter said elements are released, thereby permitting the jaws to frictionally grasp the sides of said respective ridges and 21, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The neckband portions are now in proper adjusted position for the desired size, the length of the entire tie having been set by the length of the doubledback portions 49 and 50, such respective lengths having in turn been set by the selected engaging positions of said fastening elements 18 and 19 on the ridges 2t) and 21.

Although in the form of our invention above described the ridges 20 and 21 are illustrated as an integral part of the respective bands 31 and 32, it is also within the scope of this invention to employ separate ridge members that are attached, as by sewing, to the band. For example, as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, the ridge member is a thin cord 51 sewn by stitches 52 to the band 53. Said cord ridge 51 can be adapted for use in the manner above described in conjunction with fastening elements like 18 and 19. It is also within our contemplation to use the cord-ridge construction in a somewhat modified form, in accordance with the structure of Figs. 9 to 12.

Here the illustrated stitches 52 are shown separated, thereby providing therebetween unattached portions such as 54- and 55 of the ridge 5i and band 53. This arrangement is adaptable for use with a fastening element like 56 containing an inner anchoring portion 57 and a hook portion 58 preferably bent somewhat out of the plane of anchoring portion 57. Said anchoring portion is dis posed Within the looped end 59 of the neckband section 60, the hook portion being adapted, as illustrated, to be inserted through space 61 between said unattached portions 54 and 55, the hook being formed for embracing engagement with said unattached portion 54 of the ridge member 51. It is apparent that if said stitches 52 are placed in closely spaced relation, very fine size adjustments can be obtained.

Figs. 11 and 12, being fragmentary views, do not show the loop member through which the neckband 53 extends, since this is not deemed necessary in view of the disclosure in Figs. 1 to 8. It is to be assumed, for the purposes of thi specification, that said neckband 53 is of tubular construction, like neckband portions 22 and 23, and extends through a loop member like 17 of the form first above described, and is folded back upon itself in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1, whereby the neckband section 60 is disposed over the surface of the neckband 53 carrying thereon the ridge 51, as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. It is further to be noted that said ridge is in the form of a cord element secured in place by said stitches 52.

In the form of our invention illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14, there are also two tie sections, designated 61' and 62, but only one of said sections, to wit 62, has on the neckband portion thereof a ridge, the drawing showing ridge 63 on neckband portion 64. The rear end65 of section 62 is anchored to the loop 66 having the central slot 67 through which said rear end 65 extends and is attached. Slidably extending through said slot is the neckband portion 68 of section 61', the rear end 69 of neckband portion 68 carrying the fastener element 70, illustrated as being like fastener elements 18 and 19 above referred to. Fastener element 70 is adapted to frictionally grasp the opposite lateral sides of the ridge 63, sub stantially in the manner hereinabove described, whereby the total length of the tie is determined by the selected position of attachment of fastener 70 to ridge 63, to effect the desired size adjustment.

In the various forms hereinabove described, each ridge member is slidably accommodated by the correspondingly positioned recess in the loop member, thereby preventing a lateral or transverse shifting of the tie section with respect to the loop, and thereby further preventing a bunching together of the material such as frequently occurs in conventional constructions. Moreover, each ridge element is slidably movable within the said coacting -re cessed portion of the loop, the latter serving as a track to facilitate, as well as guide, the adjusting movement of the tie section through the loop.

It is also apparent that in the various forms of our invention above described a Wide range of size adjustments is possible. In the structures of Figs. 1 and 13 there is an almost limitless number of size adjustments possible, within the limitations of the tie dimensions, due to the fact that the fastening element can be attached anywhere along the length of the coacting ridge. And in the form of our invention illustrated in Fig. 11, there is also possible a great range of adjustments, since each one of the stitches 52 may, as aforesaid, be placed in close spaced relation.

It is further to be noted that the said ridge elements in each of the forms can be readily attached by sewing or by conventional gathering and sewing operations, thereby making it possible to produce tie sections of this construction at relatively low cost, particularly as compared to structures having woven slits or spaced apertures or eyelets for receiving adjusting hooks therethrough.

In the above description, the invention has been dis closed merely by way of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or manner of practicing same, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an adjustable necktie, a loop member with an inner slot therein and a recessed portion communicating with said slot, two opposite neckband portions operative'ly extending through saidslot, at least one of said sections being slidably movable through said slot, a ridge element extending longitudinally along said slidable section and slidably disposed Within said recessed portion, a releasable fastener element anchored to the rear free end of said slidable section, said slidable section being doubled back upon itself with said fastener element adjacent the side of said slidable section having thereon said ridge element, said fastener element being attachable to said ridge element at selected portions thereof.

2. In an adjustable necktie, the combination according to claim 1, said ridge element being disposed medially along the width of said slidable section, said recessed portion being disposed medially with respect to the ends of said slot for operative coaction with said ridge element.

3. In an adjustable necktie, a loop member with a central slot therein, two opposite neckband sections Slidably extending through said slot, a ridge element extending longitudinally along portions of each of said sections, each of said ridge elements having opposite lateral surfaces, a releasable fastener element anchored to the free end of each of said sections, both of said sections being doubled back upon themselves, respectively, with their 5 fastener elements adjacent the respective sides of the sec- References Cited in the file of this patent tions having thereon said ridge elements, said fastener UNITED STATES PATENTS elements being attachable to said respective ridge elements at selected portions of said lateral surfaces, said g g g f 5 loop member having opposed recessed portions comm-uni- 5 2029181 Mayer Jan 1936 eating With said central slot intermediate the length there- 211251715 gg g 21122121111: 2 1938 of, the two said ridge elements being disposed within said 2,203,026 Goldenberg 1940 respective recessed portions and slidably movable therein 2 437 7 5 Statham Man 16, 9 3 when their respective neck-band sections are operatively 10 2,501,741 Rich Man 28 1950 slid through said slot. 2,559,883 Legat July 10, 1951 

